Monthly Archives: July 2010

Kingdom Heroes Preview: Is It Any Different?

Kingdom Heroes Preview: Is It Any Different?
By Kei Beneza (dividelife), OnRPG Journalist

 

Kingdom Heroes is an Oriental-themed MMO that stretches the limitations of the average MMO. Here you will see structures inspired by ancient Chinese culture, complete with emperors, warlords and the weapons you’d commonly see in those Chinese variety shows. After seeing the awesome cinematic intro, you could say that the game pretty much got me pumped up for dynasty war goodness. How different is Kingdom Heroes from the other MMOs that carry the same theme? I’m hella excited so let’s jump right in!

 

Character Creation

It’s not the best, but I’m pretty much satisfied with Kingdom Heroes’ character creation interface. You’ll be choosing between four unique classes, each with their own set of skills and trademark specialties to fit their users’ preferences. The four classes are as follows (with subclasses):

The Warrior– Your typical well-armored, high damaging, melee death bringer. Evolves to Tiger Captain or Fang Captain

Fencer– A nice mixture of the average rogue and the long-ranged bow wielder. He fights with utmost speed using either blade or bow. It’s quite weird that they decided to call this class a fencer because I see no fencing whatsoever. Evolves to Blademaster or Imperial Guard.

 

Character Creations Kingdom Heroes
Character Creation

 

The Tactician– Your everyday healer. Again given a weird name that doesn’t specify the class’ main profession. Since when did oriental tactician gain healing powers? Anyway, don’t think this healer is weak like others. The tactician also sports a nice set of damaging skills that will blow you away. Unless you want a burning barrel to come your way (serious about the barrel part), don’t underestimate the Tactician. Can evolve to Scholar or Strategist

The Conjurer- Other than the warrior, the conjurer attains a title worthy of his/her profession. Conjurers act as the nukers/spellcasters in the game. They are physically weak but provide powerful spell damage, making them a threat at long distances. Evolves to Mystic or Taoist

 

Kingdom Heroes 

 

Please Select Your—-Build?!

Yep! That’s right— build! Unlike other MMOs, Kingdom Heroes allow players to pick their desired physique. There are four character builds to choose from (two for each gender), each with their own set of custom faces to allow extra customizations. If you want your dude to look like an oriental brute, then by all means pick the Strong Man build. Want to look like the lead guy in Mulan? Youth would be the way to go. It is a shame that we’re not allowed to get muscular babes in the game; then again, who would want to pick those? Unlike male characters the difference between the two female builds are minimal. Seriously… Maiden or Beauty? Loli or Legal would be more appropriate.

 

Control Scheme

Without a doubt, the game’s control scheme is very easy to grasp and quite comfortable when it comes to mobility. Players can always choose to play the traditional way by exploring with the point and click system but can also make use of the WSAD keys to move around a bit more accurately. Holding the left and right mouse buttons will also make your character run, allowing you to steer with the mouse itself. Controls serve an important role in MMO gaming. Not only do they strengthen the playability and comfort level of each game, it also allows you to perform well in the midst of battle. I mean come on, isn’t the point and click routine a bit outdated by now?

 

 Kingdom Heroes Dynasty

 

ALL OUT WAR!!!

Early in the game, you will be asked to pick your faction. It was pretty confusing at first since I didn’t really know what it was for (either that or I just hate reading quest texts). The Kingdom War Feature (still under development) allows users to enter an all-out war scenario to see which faction reigns supreme. Once a faction is declared the victor, they will be opted to dress up their kingdom, at least to protect it for the upcoming war. War here we come!

 

OMG REALLY?!

It’s amazing how things just strike you when you least expect it. By the time I thought this would be nothing more than a generic experience, the game offered me the ability to recruit soldiers (that’s right! Recruit!). Let me see, the last game that gave me the ability to do this was Guild Wars, and as always the feature is a welcomed option. It’s pathetic since I only got one servant to start with, but judging by the swarm of soldiers inhabiting the leveling grounds, I’d say you can get more than five. Not only does it help you beat down monsters, it also makes things a lot easier (not to mention faster).

 

OMG REALLY?! PART 2!

Other than the awesome soldier-recruiting feature, the game also allows players to mount more than just your average horse. All this time, I’ve been craving for an attacking mount. I guess I just didn’t see it coming. The game allows players to ride siege engines and warships during the Kingdom war. Only the Guild Leader can access the main panel so make sure you stay friends with your leader; that is if you want to ride that badly.

 

Kingdom Heroes Interface
Kingdom Heroes Interface 

 

Graphic and Interface

As much as I hate to admit it, the game’s in-game graphics couldn’t keep up with its awesome gameplay. The first thing that strained my eye was the water detail, which looks a lot like a big JPEG file enduring a series of frame tearing. Just to clear things up… I didn’t say that the graphics sucked; however, some of the elements (like the water detail) tend to pull it down to SUCK level.

 

Kingdom Heroes Graphics 

 

The Verdict

Old or new, Kingdom Heroes managed to display a marvelous set of features that are sure to impress any MMO gamer out there. To be honest, I was starting to think that MMOs that share this theme will continue to provide generic features, and boy was I wrong. The Kingdom War feature is definitely worth checking out. With extra features like mountable tanks and ships, who would want to pass up an opportunity to play a game like this? The graphics could use some intense tweaking. It’s still in open beta, so let’s hope the final product does the game more JUSTICE.

 

Pros:
– Fun gameplay
– Simple interface
– Mounts (ALL OF ‘EM)
– The ability to hire servants
– ALL OUT WAR

Cons:
– Graphics could use some tweaking
– Questing is nothing more than a grind for experience (kill this, kill that)
– Needs more monsters (The place is so crowded at times, it’s hard to spot targeted monsters)

Transformers MMO Announced

Transformers MMO Announced

Netdragon and Hasbro have announced that they have begun work on an MMO in the Transformers Universe; for now the working title is aptly named “Transformers MMO“.

 

Transformers MMO - Let's hope Soundwave is in it!

 

I’m afraid that there is a bit of bad news as well as it doesn’t look like we’ll get the game over in the West right away:

 

“Under the agreement, Net Dragon willl develop the large-scale MMORPG “Transformers MMO” for release in 2011 in China and Asia, including Russia, CIS countries including the Middle East and North Africa.”


Translation: We’re going to have to wait for it for a while before it will be localized and released in the US and Europe!

Combat Arms Releases New Block of Content

Combat Arms Releases New Block of Content

Combat Arms has released a new block of content this week. The new update, called Operation: Sector 25, adds a new set of deadly weapons to its industry-leading armory as well as a new zone and a recruitment program that delivers rewards to recruits and recruiters alike.

Combat Arms has released a new block of content this week: Operation: Sector 25

The new zone, called Sector 25, is a lab setting designed as an oval with a center corridor and a core connected to the outer oval hall with a series of passages. Opposing forces can clash in the center corridor or battle over flags at each end of the center core.

Also added to the swelling list of game weapons is the Ultimax 100 machine gun, perfect for mowing down large numbers of attackers, and the DSR-1, a portable sniper rifle well suited for shoot-and-run situations. Additionally, the new Baron’s M416 CQB  epic assault rifle can be found in the MYST-N supply cases. To help identify weaknesses in enemies, a new KDR/HP vision gauge can be purchased that shows an enemy’s kill/death ratios, as well as the amount of hit points they have remaining when targeted by a players reticle.

To help players from ending up in the morgue, a new Balistic Helmet has been introduced that provides added protection from headshots, increases a players speed and protects them from the effects of flash grenades.

The new recruitment program, running through Aug. 25, provides rewards to players who bring in friends to play Combat Arms until they are ranked Sergeant. Players will be given rewards based on how many friends they recruit, and recruits who stay through the sergeant rank will receive GP and other items for their loyalty. New recruits will immediately receive a free Starter Package that includes seven days worth of weapons and gear. The recruit will also have the opportunity to complete a training program, from which they will receive 3,000 GP that they can use to gear up even more.

Open Beta of LOCO – Land of Chaos Online to Begin on August 3

Open Beta of LOCO – Land of Chaos Online to Begin on August 3

 

Burda:ic, a leading publisher of online games worldwide, today announced that the Open Beta Test for highly anticipated RTS action RPG LOCO – Land of Chaos Online will begin on August 3. For the first time, the Land of Chaos will be accessible to any and all players who dare to visit its perilous battlefields, putting themselves in the shoes of 30 characters from two factions vying for total domination.

 

Land of Chaos Online Loco Beta

 

“We’re really looking forward to opening the floodgates to players who have yet to experience the pandemonium that is the Land of Chaos,” said Achim Kaspers, Managing Director of Burda:ic. “With this final test run, we’ll be working around the clock to collect feedback and valuable info as we prepare for the official launch!”

 

Burda:ic has also revealed an official teaser trailer for the Open Beta which showcases some of the game’s most popular characters crushing foes and boss monsters alike. To view the new trailer online, click here.

 

Land of Chaos Online Loco Beta

Dawn Of Nations Review: Does It Compare To Its Peers?

Dawn Of Nations Review: Does It Compare To Its Peers?
By Kei Beneza (Dividelife), OnRPG Journalist

 

Dawn Of Nations is an MMO web browser game set in the unforgiving campaigns of World War 2. The game actually feels a bit TOO much like Evony Online, but since it shares the same war theme, it’s a given that it will also contain the generic browser game basics. To be honest, I’m not really sure why the sub-genre (web browser wars) refuses to evolve. We’ve seen countless games that share the same system, as though the developer’s only goal was to launch something that completely matches the recent threshold of enjoyment rather than create something new and potentially better. So what separates Dawn of Nations from both its predecessors and successors? What makes this war game so different? I guess we’ll soon find out.

 

Starting Up

Upon starting the game, you’ll be prompted to create your commander. Not much to talk about really. At least the game was gracious enough to provide a set of character portraits. Aside from the basic information, you’ll be asked to create your own city in a location of your choice. You will be given a status report regarding the area’s population, allowing you to distinguish the number of players in each area. There’s also the TROOP BANNER name option, but I sort of remember banners being designed and not named. Oh wait, of course! Photoshop and MS paint didn’t exist back then in World War 2 right?

 

Dawn of Nations Starting Up 
Dawn of Nations Starting Up

 

After creating your commander, you will be catapulted to the in game tutorial. May I say that the tutorials were exquisitely presented? Not only do they explain the basics pretty well; they also highlight keywords and key panels to familiarize players with the important parts of the interface.

 

The Better Cake: Officer System

Although the game has expanded its genre’s generic game play, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s just a well-iced cake in freezer full of cakes. The object of the game is very simple: save up, sustain a stable economy, create an army of epic proportions, and DESTROY. The question is… how special is this icing?

 

The first thing that caught my attention was the “Officer System” which is similar to the RTS Hero system, although unlike heroes, officers are assigned to perform specific tasks, some of which are not combat-oriented. All officers have different stats which allow you to distinguish their specialties. An officer who’s high in politics for example would greatly enhance your construction speed, while those blessed with knowledge can speed up your research time. Also, players are able to equip their officers with various items to increase their capabilities. It’s actually quite refreshing to see heroes that know something else other than combat.

 

Dawn of Nations Officer System
Dawn of Nations Officer System

 

So what are the downsides to having an officer? Their salary of course! You didn’t think these sly tacticians would lend you their talents for free now did you? Yes… Officers must be paid in gold for them to continue their services. Failure to do so decreases their loyalty bar, resulting in abandonment. This is BAAAD!

 

Dawn of Nations Equips 
Officer Equips

 

Quests

Yes, the game does have quests (missions). They are a bit linear and rather repetitive at times, but I would strongly advise you to grind  them as they give exceptional rewards that can really aid you in your journey (or skirmishes). 

 

PLS! WAR NAO!

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I strongly disagree with the rookie protection system. It does help you mass up for 7 days without being attacked, but isn’t there a way to turn it off when you’re ready? The part I hate about these types of games is the waiting factor. Declaring war can take as long as 8 hours, depending on whom you are attacking. Declaring war on allies forces you to wait for 8 hours before actual bullets are fired, while attacking players from the opposing faction takes 4 hours. To make up for the epic wait, the game displays a graphical description of the actual combat. It’s pretty satisfying, but would definitely be better if they lowered the wait factor.

 

Dawn of Nations War Nao
Plz War Nao

 

Graphics and Interface

The graphics are actually pretty impressive and greatly satisfies the average browser game’s general lack of animation. In this game, you are able to indicate which of your buildings are being built though an animated wrench on top the structure. It’s not that important, but the mere fact that this game carries an animated action separates it from the average web browsers graphics. The interface is also something to look at, as the menus and options are conveniently placed on the visible portions of your screen. Also, since there are so many resources to keep track of, I’m pretty happy that they managed to find images that perfectly suit the corresponding resource. Some games actually have incomprehensible images, making it hard to distinguish which specific resource it represents. When it comes to graphics and interface, I’d say Dawn of Nations beats its predecessors by a mile.

 

Dawn of Nations Verdict
The Verdict

 

Verdict

As a browser game, Dawn of Nations proved to be much better than SOME of its predecessors. It’s not the best one around, but definitely one of the better ones. The officer system is superb, and greatly expands the depth of game play. One thing that strikes me though is the fact that PAYING players have a big advantage over those who are playing for free. Yes, players can purchase diamonds from the online marketplace, allowing them to speed up their progress.. I guess this serves as a hint for players who want to play the game seriously. Wanna rule? PAY! With an awesome interface, a deep (yet simple) system, and a whole lot of micromanaging, Dawn of Nations is a game worth trying out.

  

Pros:
– Great Interface
– User-friendly
– Officer system
– Different war vehicles.

 

Cons:
– Waiting time
– Cash is King
– May get boring after a few tries.

Alliance of Valiant Arms Interview: Not Just About The Pretty Graphics

Alliance of Valiant Arms Interview: Not Just About The Pretty Graphics
Questions by Chen Fo Po (cinderboy), OnRPG Journalist
Answers by Wook Kim, Product Manager

 

Alliance of Valiant Arms Intro

 

Alliance of Valiant Arms (or A.V.A) is a MMOFPS published by renowned MMO portal, Ijji. Developed using the Unreal 3 engine, the game boasts insanely detailed graphics and realistic gameplay. Based on a fictional war between the EU (European Union) and the NRF (Neo-Russian Federation), how will the game be compared to the various MMO shooters out there?

OnRPG: Hello, I am Fo Po (cinderboy) from OnRPG. Can you please introduce yourself?
Hello OnRPG, My name is Wook Kim and I am the Project Manager for A.V.A at NHN USA.

 

OnRPG: Can you briefly describe to us the background story for A.V.A?
The storyline of A.V.A is that in the near future a war breaks out in fight for oil and power.  Europe is split into two factions, the EU (European Union) and the NRF (Neo Russian Federation). While the NRF becomes really powerful and dominating all across Europe, the struggling EU gets assistance and support of the American troops.  And that is where the story of A.V.A begins. 

 

Alliance of Valiant Arms Ava Begins

 

OnRPG: It has been more than 6months since A.V.A launched. Your thoughts so far?
It’s doing really well.  Since launch, we have been updating twice a month so that we can offer our users as much content as soon as we can.  There are now over 30 different primary weapons and 15 maps compared to 13 primary weapons and 8 maps when we launched.  We also updated Prison Break AI Missions as well for users who enjoy Co-op missions against AI/NPCs.  Not only the content, but we also updated features such as Daily missions for rewards and revamped the in game economy system for more in game money output.  I think A.V.A in its current state is the best Free to play FPS game in the market and we are very excited for the future.

 

OnRPG: What were some of the difficulties the team faced initially?
One of the difficulties we faced initially was server setup. In Korea where A.V.A is originated, they use a P2P system.  Korea is about the size of California so they can service in a P2P method and have no lag in game.  But here in the US, P2P system would be very inconvenient for our users. We have two IDC server locations setup, one in West Coast and one in East Coast to accommodate the entire North America.  The difficulty here was managing the cost of the dedicated servers.  We wanted to provide the best user experience in a high quality game like A.V.A with no lag issues. Without going into too much boring detail, it was a difficult issue at first but we have it covered now.

 

OnRPG: The game is developed using the rather advanced Unreal 3 Engine. Does it mean that players who are interested in the game, but with a older system, will have difficulties playing?
Using the Unreal 3 Engine means that among Free to Play games, A.V.A’s graphics are unmatched. Users will need a decent computer to take advantage of the beautiful graphics on the highest settings, however, the game is still very much playable with some of the options turned off for users with older systems.

 

 Alliance of Valiant Arms Older System

 

OnRPG: From your point of view, what is the one thing that makes A.V.A stand out from the crowd?
Well, I really want to mention more than one thing. haha. Sure I want to mention the high quality graphics, all the game modes, weapon customizations, and more, but if I had to mention just one thing about A.V.A that stands out is the balanced gameplay.  It is really well balanced for the gameplay for all 3 character classes; Point Man, Rifle Man, and Sniper. One class does not stand tall amongst the others.  It really depends on the skills of the player in using the right class for the situation.  It is best to choose a class that fits your playstyle as well as the balance of your team.  In A.V.A, players can choose to switch classes after each death or round and it gives the player the option to change and enhance their game play.  Keep in mind, your opponents have the same option so  that makes it much more interesting and balanced in that you are always trying to play strategically and to outsmart your opponents.

 

OnRPG: How detailed is the tutorial for players who are new to the game?
The tutorial at the beginning of the game is very helpful for players to learn how to play A.V.A and understand A.V.A User Interface. It roughly takes about 10 ~ 15 minutes to complete for new players.  Also a reward of In Game Money is given to those who complete the tutorial.

 

OnRPG: Can you briefly give us a refresh on the different modes available in the game?
Currently, there are 7 game modes in A.V.A.  There will be more game mode updates in the near future. 

 

* Demolition – This game mode is a Search & Destroy or to explain simply ‘plant bomb & defuse bomb’ game mode.
* Escort – In this game mode, EU team’s mission is to escort a Leopard2A6 tank to the other side of the map while the NRF team’s mission is to stop the EU from achieving their mission at all costs. This game mode is team based with a team death match type of style where players respawn after each death instead of each round like Demolition. NRF will use a RPG launcher to attach the tank while EU repairs and keep the tank moving.
* Annihilation – Annihilation is the team death match game mode in A.V.A. In this game mode, both teams have the same objective, annihilate the opposing team. In A.V.A annihilation game mode, you score a point for your team by killing your opponent and you also get bonus points for your team by collecting a number of enemy dog tags from falls enemies. The team to get to the pre-set win score amount wins.
* Convoy – In Convoy, there are two parts to the objective. Both teams have the same objective which is to retrieve the objective item then make way to the objective point to escape or deliver the objective item. This makes for very strategic game play that both teams can either attack or defend.
* Domination – Domination game mode is similar to King of the Hill in Halo or Conquest in Battlefield. The team to hold the domination objective point for the winning condition amount of time wins the match. In A.V.A, the losing team can ask for help by calling UAV and AI controlled allies flying in helicopter to assist them for a limited time.
* Free For All – Free For All is a individual game mode where there are no teams. Simply put, it is a individual deathmatch, every man for themselves.
* Prison Break AI Missions – Prison Break missions are Co-op missions where players are on the same team (EU) fighting against AI controlled NRF prisoners. Each team can have up to 4 players. There are 3 different missions in Prison Break; Survival, Escape, and Rescue. Each of them are different in that it has different stages and different objectives. Rescue is the hardest and it also has a easy mode where players can form 5 man teams to conquer the rescue mission. Each mission has rewards for completing the mission.

 

OnRPG: In most online shooters, players do not have the option of customizing their weapons or equipment compared to traditional MMORPGs. Will A.V.A be any different?
Yes, one of the great things about A.V.A is the weapon customization. Customization to your weapon gives the player the option to add various custom parts that can increase or decrease the stats of your weapon. For example, on the AK47, one of the custom parts that can be added is the Reinforced barrel. This custom part increases 3 damage points while decreasing 1 stability point and 1 Rate of Fire point. So it is up to the user how to customize the weapon.  While most guns have a customization option, some of the guns in A.V.A have a modification option. For example a G36 by default can be modified to G36 Rail. Again, the option is given to the player to customize or to modify – it is up to the player.

 

Alliance of Valiant Arms Player

 

OnRPG: What roles do the different classes play? Is there a medic class?
There is no medic class.  There are 3 classes in A.V.A; Point Man, Rifle Man, and Sniper. Point man uses SMGs and Shotguns and has the ability to unlock various skills such as running skills that increases their mobility, knife training for more melee attack damage and range, and other various skills. Rifle man using Assault rifles has the ability to unlock various skills such as Advanced Defense that increases defense rating, Grenade Throw skills that increases the throwing range of grenades, and other various skills. Snipers obviously using a sniper rifle have ability to unlock skills such as Pistol Training that increases reload speed of pistols and ammo capacity increase, SR Training that increases weapon draw speed, and other various skills. All 3 classes play a very important role for the team and all have their advantages as well as disadvantages.

 

OnRPG: How does A.V.A promote team play within the game?
A.V.A promotes team play in the fact that basically almost all modes in the game are team-based.  In PVP game modes, the highest rank player is given the title of Squad Commander. Squad Commander is the only player who is equipped with binoculars.  There is one squad commander for each team who can use the binoculars to zoom in to look for enemies and take a snap photo. When this occurs, the locations of enemies who have been observed through the binoculars  are given away to the rest of the team. In Escort, when repairing a tank, having two people repair at the same time cuts down repair time by half.  There are also radio command messages along with hand signals that teams can use to communicate to each other of what they are doing at the moment. Team play is one of the biggest factors of winning in A.V.A. In AI missions, teams have to be made to go up against the AI controlled NPCs.

 

OnRPG: Will there be a big gap between cash shop spenders and non-spenders in terms of gameplay?
There isn’t any gap between cash shop players and non spenders. We kept the game balanced so that there is no big gap at all between the two groups of users. We didn’t want to push away our non spenders from the game by making things overpowering to the cash shop users. All the weapons can be purchased through G Coin which is ijji.com’s portal cash currency or In Game Money.

 

OnRPG: How is A.V.A holding up against hackers who disrupt the game?
We are holding up very well against hackers. We use gameguard as anti-hack system. We also have the server detecting hack usage itself and kicking out those hackers detected.  And then there is an in game hack report feature where players can report hackers. With all 3 of these systems in place, A.V.A is so far doing very well against hackers.  And then there is our legal team that takes legal actions against those who create or distribute the hack programs. Our users will also agree that A.V.A is the most hack Free to play FPS game there is on the market. 

 

Alliance of Valiant Arms Market

 

OnRPG: What are some of the future updates and improvements players can look forward to?
There are still numerous maps, weapons, and items to come. By end of 2010, we also plan to update a new game mode called Cross Steal. In this game mode, teams go back and forth obtaining the opponent’s objective and taking back to their own base.  It is similar to the Capture the Flag game mode. And we will also have another all expense paid trip for International Tournament in Korea hosted by IeSF, International E-Sports Federation.  We attended last year and USA team got 3rd place.  Hopefully this year, we can place higher than we did last year. 

 

OnRPG: Are there any upcoming events planned for the game, especially its first anniversary?
We don’t want to spill the beans of our event plans just yet since it is still quite some time away.  But we will definitely have an event planned for our anniversary. 

 

OnRPG: Before ending this interview, is there anything you will like to say to our readers?
I would just like to thank OnRPG for conducting this interview and I would like to invite all the readers to come and play some A.V.A. We feel very confident that A.V.A will be a great experience and you will not regret downloading and installing it. So come and join the fun at http://ava.ijji.com.

 

OnRPG: Thanks for your time!
Thank you OnRPG!

Runes of Magic Fashion Show at GamesCom

Runes of Magic Fashion Show at GamesCom

A unique fashion show which Frogster is staging as part of the general GamesCom program of events on the main stage in Hall 8 will bridge the gap between the virtual world of Runes of Magic and reality. As part of a catwalk presentation featuring  runway models the publisher will exhibit a one-off fashion collection for the first time worldwide on Friday 20th August from 16:00 until 17:30 and Saturday, 21st August from 15:00 until 16:00. Based on the motto ‘Gaming goes fashion’, the Berlin-based design studio, “Textilzelle”, will present interpretations of seven different character classes from the virtual world of Runes of Magic that they have transformed into an extraordinary fashion collection. Frogster has also integrated the fashionable outfits in digital form to the game world and will present them in their virtual surroundings.

Runes of Magic Fashion Collection

The event will be presented by Florian Kamolz, former presenter of the German gaming TV channel ‘GIGA’ along with Gina-Lisa Lohfink, a well-known model who was recently featured on the front cover of German Playboy.

The fashion show will also feature a large costume competition, an interactive element which will put the creativity of the RoM community to the test. Runes of Magic’s biggest fans will get the unique opportunity to strut their stuff on the catwalk in self-designed costumes honoring the virtual world of RoM. An expert panel of judges including Gina-Lisa, Frogster’s board member Dirk Weyel and fashion designers from the Berlin-based Textilzelle will award winners with valuable RoM-themed Casemod-PCs. Gina-Lisa will be available for photos, autographs and interviews on Friday and Saturday before and after the fashion show at Frogster’s stand C020/B021 in Hall 9.1. To round off the fashion show, the a cappella metal band Van Canto will make a live appearance on stage. The band’s inimitable style involves substituting a range of instruments with their voices and using only a drum kit for accompaniment. At Gamescom they will present their new in-game video for the RoM song ‘Magic Taborea’ for the first time ever alongside other songs from their existing repertoire.

Frogster will be presenting Runes of Magic at exhibition stands C020/B021 and C021 in Hall 9.1 along with their two new top titles, TERA and Mythos. MMO fans will be able to try out a preview version of the latest content from Runes of Magic as well as the first playable versions of TERA and Mythos on 40 computer terminals. The former GIGA presenters, Florian Kamolz and Philipp Senkbeil, will also hold regular stage presentations to showcase all the latest from the world of Runes of Magic. The leading RoM guild Delirium will demonstrate how players can adeptly bring down the Demon Lord Sirloth through live raids. Alongside many other features of the program the top guilds Delirium and Pravum will provide a fun challenge involving speed-runs. Players will also have the opportunity to win fan merchandise and exclusive pets for Runes of Magic at Frogster’s stand everyday.

Ministry of War

Ministry of War (MoW) is the world’s most sophisticated browser game, with unparalleled graphics and gameplay. MoW is a true MMO RTS, where you will battle alongside thousands of other players in PvP and PvE warfare. MoW also includes a special Guild vs. Guild (GvG) battle system, where you can vanquish your rivals and become a Guild superpower.

 

Engage in real-time combat against NPC’s, World Bosses, individual players and guilds for dominance in a world rocked by perpetual conflict. Join forces with other players to create massive allied legions of combined forces, then lay siege to the cities and lairs of your enemies. Train your military units, level up your heroes and troops, upgrade your armor and weaponry, and learn specialized combat skills to gain ultimate mastery in MoW battle.

 

Ministry of War offers a huge world map, the largest gameplay environment of any Free-To-Play MMO browser game. Explore this vast territory and sail the seas to foreign nations. Dispatch your traders to acquire exotic goods and sell them in cities across the known world.

 

Ministry of War has a unique feature in the world of browser MMOs: an Endgame. There are four MoW civilizations: Rome, China, Egypt, and Persia. If one of them rises up, through alliances and victories over rival empires, and defeats the other three, the winning civilization will be declared Champion of MoW and the Realm will reset, with spoils to the victors. For this reason, there are no sidelines in Ministry of War. You must form strategic alliances and fight or your empire and civilization, or it may be swept from the Realm. Each Endgame victory will form a unique chapter in the history of MoW.

Maid Marian announces Major Update to Sherwood Dungeon

Maid Marian announces Major Update to Sherwood Dungeon

 

Maid Marian Entertainment Inc., the one-man team behind the cult hit, Sherwood Dungeon, announces a major update to its free-to-play, browser-based MMO game that all bow loving players will appreciate. As a completely new addition to Sherwood Dungeon, players will gain access to Bow & Arrows at level 21. Players will earn two additional equipment slots for these items, as well as the ability to purchase magic arrows (Fire, Ice, Poison, Night) from the local weapons merchant. 

 

Unicorn Death
Killing Unicorns 

 

In addition to the new weapons, this update includes numerous changes such as AI improvements, economy and item rebalancing, and a complete dungeon overhaul, replacing old maps with new ones. Fitting the grassroots nature of Sherwood Dungeon, this update was made possible through the direct support and feedback of Sherwood Dungeon’s loyal fan base, which beta tested the update and helped work out any bugs. 

 

Sherwood Bugs
Report bugs in Sherwood 

 

Lacking the need for a gaming PC, a credit card or login, Sherwood Dungeon proves that high-end fantasy gaming doesn’t need a box, a download, or a monthly subscription fee to deliver high quality gaming for casual MMO players.